University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES

College of Arts and Sciences

 Chapter 3: Solutions of Oblique Triangles

Introduction:
Oblique Triangles
We can directly find the measure of any side of a right triangle with 2 sides given and an
unknown side by using the Pythagorean theorem or by applying the trigonometric ratio. But what if the
triangle is not a right triangle? Can we apply the Pythagorean theorem to solve for the unknown side of
such triangle?
Here, we will discuss other methods in solving the side of an oblique triangle. B

An oblique triangle is one that does not contain a right angle.

Definition
Consider the following oblique triangle ABC at the right.

A C

There are four possible cases of problems involving the solution of oblique triangles. They are
stated below.

Case Illustration
1. One side and two angles are given
s id
e

2. Two sides and an angle opposite one of the sides sid

are given e
side

3. Two sides and an included angle are given

sid
e Included
e
sid

angle

4. Three sides are given

sid
e
e
sid

side

 Lesson Proper
In solving oblique triangles, we make use of Law of Sines and Law of Cosines.
Let us derive the Law of sines.
A. Law of Sines B B

c D’
c a
h h'
a

A C
A b D C b

Figure 1 Figure 2

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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Take a look at Figure 1, if we drop the altitude h from vertex B on line segment AC, intersecting
it at point D, then
opposite h opposite h
sin A = = and sin C = = or
hypotenuse c hypotenuse a

h h
sin A = and sin C =
c a
solving h of both equations,
h h
sin A = and sin C =
c a
h=c (sin A) and h=a(sinC ) equating these two equations,

c (sin A) = a (sin C) divide both sides by (sin A) (sin C)

simplifying,
c (sin A ) a(sin C)
=
(sin A)(sin C) (sin A)(sin C)

c a Equation 1
=
sin C sin A

Take a look at Figure 2, if we drop the altitude h’ from vertex A on line segment AC, intersecting
it at point D’, then
opposite h' opposite h'
sin C = = and sin B = = or
hypotenuse b hypotenuse c
h' h'
sin C = and sin B =
b c
solving h’ of both equations,
h' h'
sin C = and sin B =
b c
h '=b(sinC ) and h '=c (sin B) equating these two equations,

b (sin C) = c(sin B) divide both sides by (sin C) (sin B)

simplifying,
b(sinC ) c (sin B)
=
(sin C)(sin B) (sin C)(sin B)
b c Equation 2
=
sin B sin C

Now, equating equations 1 and 2, we have the Law of Sines:

a b c
= =
sin A sin B sin C

Note this: The first two cases can be solved using Law of Sines.

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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Example for Case 1 applying Law of Sines:

One side and two angles are given.
Example: In triangle ABC, suppose that measure of side a = 15, angle A = 250 and angle B = 700.

Solve for the measure of angle C , length of side b and side c.

Case Illustration
One side and two angles are given.
Solution:
First, let’s find the measure of angle C .
Since the sum of the measures of the interior angles in a
triangle is 1800, thus,
0
m ∠ A +m∠ B+m ∠ C=180
0 0 0
25 +70 + m∠ C=180
0 0
95 + m∠ C=180
0 0
m ∠ C=180 −95
0
m ∠ C=85
Second, let’s find the length of side b. Here, we will
now use the law of Sine, thus,
a b let’s substitute the
= values,
sin A sin B
cross multiply, we have,
15 b
0
= 0
sin 25 sin 7 0
b (sin 2 50) = 15 (sin 7 00 ) solve for b,
simplify, use calculator
b (sin 2 50) = 15 (sin 7 00 ) in finding sin 700 and sin
¿ ¿ 250
Simplify further,
15 (0.9396926208)
b=
0.4226182617

Divide,
14 .09538931
b=
0.4226182617

b = 33.3525325 Therefore, length of side

b ≈ 33 b is approximately equal
to 33 units.

Next, let’s find side c.

a c let’s substitute the
= values,
sin A sinC
cross multiply, we have,
15 c
0
= 0
sin 25 sin 85
c (sin 2 50) = 15 (sin 8 50 ) solve for c,
simplify, use calculator
c (sin 2 50) = 15 (sin 850 ) in finding sin 850 and sin
¿ ¿ 250
Simplify further,

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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15 (0.9961946981)
c=
0.4226182617

14.94292047 divide,
c=
0.4226182617
c = 35.35796208 Therefore, length of side
c ≈ 35 c is approximately 35
units.

Case 2 Applying Law of Sines:

Two sides and an angle opposite one of the sides are given.
This case is often referred as an ambiguous case because it is possible that the triangle being described
does not exist, one triangle exists or two triangles exist satisfying the given condition. Here, we also have
three possibilities.

If the given angle is an

1. Acute and if a < b, then there are three possibilities,

a. 2 triangles are formed if a > b sin A
b. 1 triangle is formed if a = b sin A
c. No triangle is formed if a < b sin A

2. Acute angle and a≥ b, then there is exactly one triangle formed.

3. Obtuse angle then there are 2 possibilities,

a. 1 triangle is formed if a > b
b. No triangle is formed if a ≤ b

Examples:
Determine the number of triangle possible with the given angle measure
and length of sides.
1. A = 350, a = 7, b = 12
2. A = 640, a = 17, b = 15
3. A = 143 , 0
a = 4, b = 7

Solution:
1. A = 350, a = 7, b = 12

Here, angle A is an acute angle, a is less than b (7 < 12) (1st possibility)
We determine if a is <, > or = to the value of b sin A

a ? b sin A substitute the values, where a = 7, b = 12, A = 350

7 ? 12 sin 350 evaluate sin 350 , use your calculator,
7 ? 12 (0.5735764364) multiply the values of right side,
7 > 6.88
a > b sin A
Since, 7 is greater than 6.88 or in symbol (a > b sin A), therefore, there were 2 triangles
formed.

2. A = 640, a = 17, b = 15

Solution:

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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Since the given angle 640 is an acute angle and a is greater than b, (17 > 15), (2nd possibility) we
can conclude that there is exactly one triangle formed.

3. A = 1430, a = 4, b=7

Solution:
Since the given angle 1430 is an obtuse angle and a is less than b or (4 < 7), (3rd possibility) then
no triangle formed.

Law of Cosines
Since we already know the Law of Sines and it is applicable on the first 2 cases in solving problems
involving oblique triangles, on this section we will now have the Law of Cosines. This will help us solve
the last 2 cases mentioned in the introduction in solving problems involving oblique triangles.
Consider the oblique triangle ABC in the figure below.

B (x1, y1)

c y a

x
A (0, 0) b C (b, 0)

Let (x1, y1) be the coordinates of B. Applying the definition of the trigonometric functions, we have
x1
cos A = ⇒ x1 = c cos A
c
y1
sin A = ⇒ y1 = c sin A
c
The distance between B and C is the side length a. We will find this distance by using the distance
formula. First, identify the points B and C, we have
B (x1, y1) = B (c cos A, c sin A)
C (b, 0) (x1, y1) (
(x2, y2) (
2 2 distance formula, by substitution, we have
d2 = (x 1 – x 2) +( y 1 – y 2 )

a2 = (c cos A – b)2+(c sin A – 0)2 simplifying, becomes

a2 = c2 cos2 A – 2bc cos A + b2 + c2 sin2 A re arranging the terms we have,

a2 = c2 cos2 A + c2 sin2 A + b2 – 2bc cos A Factor out c2
a2 = c2 (cos2 A + sin2 A) + b2 – 2bc cos A where, cos2 A + sin2 A = 1 (trigonometric identity)
a2 = c2 (1) + b2 – 2bc cos A Simplifying further,

a2 = c2 + b2 – 2bc cos A This final equation is our Law of Cosines, similarly

we can have,
b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos B

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
College of Arts and Sciences

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C

Note this: The equation above is the Law of Cosines. Again, this law is used to solve the last
two cases of problems involving oblique triangles.

Case 3 Applying law of Cosines:

Two sides and an included angle are given
Example: In triangle ABC, b = 21, c = 15 and m∠ A = 1100. Solve for the remaining parts of the triangle.

Solution:
C
We are going to find the measure of
i. side a a=?
ii. Angle C
iii. Angle B b = 21
1100
A B
c = 15
i. For the measure of side a, we will use the Law of cosines, hence,

a2 = c2 + b2 – 2bc cos A where b = 21, c = 15, A = 1100 , substitute we have,

a2 = (15)2 + (21)2 – 2(21)(15) cos (1100) simplify, becomes,
a2 = 225 + 441 – 630 cos (1100) simplify further, use calculator to evaluate cos 1100,
a2 = 225 + 441 – 630 (-0.3420201433) add 225 and 441, multiply (630) and (-0.3420201433)
a2 = 666 – ( -215.4726903)
a2 = 666 + 215.4726903
a2 =881.4726903 get the square root of both sides, we have,

√ a 2 =√ 881.4726903
a = 29.68960576 approximate the answer in the nearest whole number,
a ≈ 30

Therefore, the measure of side a is approximately 30 units.

ii. For the measure of angle C, we will use the equation which includes an angle C and this is

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C where c = 15, a = 30, b = 21, substitute,

(15)2 = (30)2 + (21)2 – 2(30)(21) cos C
225 = 900 + 441 – 1260 cos C
225 – 900 – 441 = – 1260 cos C
– 1116 = – 1260 cos C
– 1116 = – 1260 cos C
simplify, becomes,
add -900 and -441 on both side of equation,
simplify
divide both sides by (-1260)

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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– 1260 – 1260
– 1116 = cos C
– 1260
0.8857142857 = cos C or
cos C = 0.8857142857 solve for angle C, use your calculator (please enter
C = cos-1 (0.8857142857) shift cos (0.8857142857)
C = 27.66044990
m∠C = 280

Therefore, m∠C = 280

iii. For the measure of angle B.

The sum of the measure of the interior angles in a triangle is 1800. Hence
m∠A + m∠B + m∠C = 1800 where, m∠A = 1100, m∠C = 280
110 + m∠B + 28 = 180
0 0 0
C
m∠B = 180 – 110 – 28
0 0 0

m∠B = 1800 – 1100 – 280 380 a = 30

m∠B = 420
b = 21
Hence, the m∠B = 420 1100 420
A B
c = 15
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Case 4 Applying Law of Cosines: B

Three sides are given.
c = 10 a = 18
In the given triangle ABC, a = 18, b = 24, c = 10, find the measure of
the angles A, B and C.
A b = 24 C
Solution:

i. For measure of angle A, we will use the Law of Cosines which includes an angle A and this
is
a2 = c2 + b2 – 2bc cos A where a = 18, b = 24, c = 10, substitute,

(18)2 = (10)2 + (24)2 – 2(24)(10) cos A simplify, becomes,

324 = 100 + 576 – 480 cos A add -100 and -576 on both side of equation,
324 – 100 – 576 = – 480 cos A simplify
– 352 = – 480 cos A divide both sides by (-480)
– 352 = – 480 cos A
– 480 – 480
– 352 = cos A
– 480
0.7333333333 = cos A or
cos A = 0.7333333333 solve for angle A, use your calculator (please enter
A = cos-1 (0.7333333333) shift cos (0.7333333333)
A = 42.833428070
m∠A = 430
Therefore, m∠A = 430
ii. For measure of angle B, we will use the Law of Cosines which includes an angle B and this is

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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b2 = a2 + c2 – 2ac cos B where a = 18, b = 24, c = 10, substitute,

(24)2 = (18)2 + (10)2 – 2(18)(10) cos B simplify, becomes,

576 = 324 + 100 – 360 cos B add -324 and -100 on both side of equation,
576 – 324 – 100 = – 360 cos B simplify
152 = – 360 cos B divide both sides by (-360)
152 = – 360 cos B
– 360 – 360
152 = cos B
– 360
-0.4222222222 = cos B or
cos B = -0.4222222222 solve for angle B, use your calculator (please enter
B = cos-1 (-0.4222222222) shift cos (-0.4222222222)
0
B = 114.9749654
m∠B = 1150
Therefore, m∠B = 1150
iii. For measure of angle C, we will use the Law of Cosines which includes an angle C and this is
c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C where a = 18, b = 24, c = 10, substitute,

(10)2 = (18)2 + (24)2 – 2(18)(24) cos C simplify, becomes,

100 = 324 + 576 – 864 cos C add -324 and -576 on both side of equation,
100 – 324 – 576 = – 864 cos C simplify
–800 = – 864 cos C divide both sides by (-864)
– 800 = – 864 cos C
– 864 – 864
– 800 = cos C
– 864
0.9259259259 = cos C or
cos C = 0.9259259259 solve for angle C, use your calculator (please enter
C = cos-1 (0.9259259259) shift cos (0.9259259259)
C = 22.19160657 approximate to nearest whole number
m∠C = 220
Therefore, m∠C = 220

Other method in solving the measure of the third angle of triangle.

Always take note that the sum of measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180 0. Hence,

m ∠A + m ∠B + m ∠C = 1800
430 + 1150 + m ∠C = 1800
m ∠C = 1800 – 430 – 1150
m ∠C = 220

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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 Application
Law of Sines
Let’s apply the Law of Sines in real life problem solving.
A ship is sailing NE with a bearing of 450 and then proceeds 60 miles due south. In the middle of the
voyage, the sailor monitors the distance of the ship from its starting point and recorded 45 miles. Find
the measure of
S
a. angle S
b. angle SOP
c. angle POT 45 miles
O 60 miles
. 0 15
0
45
Solution:
P
a. Let us first find the measure of angle S by applying the Law of Sines, hence, T

30 45 S
= cross multiply,
sin 15 sin S
0

30
30 (sin S ) = 45 (sin 15 0 ) divide both side by 30, O
45
0 150
30 (sin S ) 45 (sin 15 )
30
= evaluate both sides,
30
P T
45 (0.2588190451)
sin S = simplify further,
30
sin S = 0.3882285677
S = sin -1 (0.3882285677 ) use your calculator (enter shift sin (0.3882285677 )
S = 22.844320530 approximate to nearest whole number,

S ≈ 230
Therefore, measure of angle S is 230
b. measure of angle SOP
Take note that the sum of the measure of the interior angle of triangle is 180 0, hence

m∠ SPO + m∠ S + m∠ SOP = 1800 substitute the known values,

150 + 230 + m∠ SOP = 1800 simplify
380 + m∠ SOP = 1800
m∠ SOP = 1800 – 380
m∠SOP = 1420

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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Therefore, measure of angle m∠SOP = 1420

c. measure of angle POT

Please take note that angle SOP and angle POT forms a linear pair, hence the sum of other
measure is 1800.

m∠SOP + m∠POT = 1800

1420 + m∠POT = 1800
m∠POT = 1800 – 1420
m∠POT = 380

Therefore, measure of angle m∠POT = 380

Law of Cosines
Let’s apply the Law of Cosines in real life problem solving.

Example:
An offshore lighthouse is 5 km from a cargo ship (A) and 3 km from a hospital (B). If the
angle formed by light beams to A and B is 1450, what is the distance AB between the cargo ship
and the hospital?

Solution:

To better understand the problem, let us have the illustration.

B

c=?
a = 3 km
1450
b = 5 km A
Lighthouse

Since the given measures are two sides (a and b) and an included angle, we can use the Law of
Cosines, c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C to find the distance of line segment AB

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C where a = 3, b = 5, m∠C = 1450, substitute,

c2 = (3)2 + (5)2 – 2(3)(5) cos 1450 simplify, becomes,

c2 = 9 + 25 – 30 cos 1450 add 9 and 25, use your calculator to simplify cos 1450
c2 = 34 – 30 (-0.8191520443) multiply 30 and -0.8191520443
c2 = 34 – (-24.57456133) simplify further
c2 = 34 + 24.57456133
c2 = 58.57456133 take the square root of both sides
√ c 2 = √ 58.57456133
c = 7.6534019448 approximate to nearest whole number
c≈8

Therefore, the distance between the cargo ship and the hospital is approximately 8 miles.

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
College of Arts and Sciences

 Application
Law of Sines
Let’s apply the Law of Sines in real life problem solving.
A ship is sailing NE with a bearing of 450 and then proceeds 60 miles due south. In the middle of the
voyage from point S to point T, the sailor monitors the distance of the ship from its starting point and
recorded 45 miles. Find the measure of
S
d. angle S
e. angle SOP
f. angle POT 45 miles
O 60 miles
. 0 15
0
45
Solution:
P
d. Let us first find the measure of angle S by applying the Law of Sines, hence, T
30 45 S
= cross multiply,
sin 15 sin S
0

30 (sin S ) = 45 (sin 15 0 ) divide both side by 30, 30

45 O
30 (sin S ) 45 (sin 150 ) 150
30
= evaluate both sides,
30
P T
45 (0.2588190451)
sin S = simplify further,
30
sin S = 0.3882285677
S = sin -1 (0.3882285677 ) use your calculator (enter shift sin (0.3882285677 )
S = 22.844320530 approximate to nearest whole number,

S ≈ 230
Therefore, measure of angle S is 230
e. measure of angle SOP
Take note that the sum of the measure of the interior angle of triangle is 180 0, hence

m∠ SPO + m∠ S + m∠ SOP = 1800 substitute the known values,

150 + 230 + m∠ SOP = 1800 simplify
380 + m∠ SOP = 1800
m∠ SOP = 1800 – 380
m∠SOP = 1420

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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Therefore, measure of angle m∠SOP = 1420

f. measure of angle POT

Please take note that angle SOP and angle POT forms a linear pair, hence the sum of other
measure is 1800.

m∠SOP + m∠POT = 1800

1420 + m∠POT = 1800
m∠POT = 1800 – 1420
m∠POT = 380

Therefore, measure of angle m∠POT = 380

Law of Cosines
Let’s apply the Law of Cosines in real life problem solving.

Example:
An offshore lighthouse is 5 km from a cargo ship (A) and 3 km from a hospital (B). If the
angle formed by light beams to A and B is 1450, what is the distance AB between the cargo ship
and the hospital?

Solution:

To better understand the problem, let us have the illustration.

B

c=?
a = 3 km
1450
b = 5 km A
Lighthouse

Since the given measures are two sides (a and b) and an included angle, we can use the Law of
Cosines, c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C to find the distance of line segment AB

c2 = a2 + b2 – 2ab cos C where a = 3, b = 5, m∠C = 1450, substitute,

c2 = (3)2 + (5)2 – 2(3)(5) cos 1450 simplify, becomes,

c2 = 9 + 25 – 30 cos 1450 add 9 and 25, use your calculator to simplify cos 1450
c2 = 34 – 30 (-0.8191520443) multiply 30 and -0.8191520443
c2 = 34 – (-24.57456133) simplify further
c2 = 34 + 24.57456133
c2 = 58.57456133 take the square root of both sides
√ c 2 = √ 58.57456133
c = 7.6534019448 approximate to nearest whole number
c≈8

Therefore, the distance between the cargo ship and the hospital is approximately 8 miles.

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 Assessment
Part A: Tell how many triangle/s is/are formed, if any, given each of the following measurements. (2 pts
each)

1. A = 450 a=5 b=5

2. A = 500 a=5 b = 10
3. A = 910 a = 15 b=9
4. A = 1150 a = 11 b = 18
5. A = 1510 a = 25 b = 25

Part B: Multiple Choice: (25 pts)

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. When three sides of triangle are given, Law of Sines must be used in solving the measure of the
angles of triangle. (1 pt)
A. Always true
B. Sometimes true
C. False
D. Maybe
2. If the measure of angle B is 910, b = 8 and a = 8, then, how many triangle/s is/are formed from the
given condition? (2 pts)
A. One triangle
B. Two triangles
C. No triangle
D. Cannot be deter mined

3. One triangle is formed when a = b sin A, which of the following equation satisfies this condition?
(2 pts)
A. 4 = 4 sin 300
B. 4 = 8 sin 300
C. 8 = 8 sin 300
D. 8 = 4 sin 300

4. Two triangles are formed when a > b sin A, then which of the following values satisfies this
condition? (2 pts)
A. a = 10, b = 8, A = 450
B. a = 5, b = 8, A = 450
C. a = 3, b = 8, A = 450

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University of Antique CHAPTER 3: SOLUTIONS OF OBLIQUE TRIANGLES
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D. a = 5.5, b = 8, A = 450

5. Suppose a ship leaves a port, travels 10 miles, turns 63 degrees, and travels another 8 miles as
shown in Figure A, how far from port is the boat? (approximate your answer in the nearest
hundredths place) (3 pts)
A. 236.63 miles
B. 91.36 miles
C. 9.56 miles
D. 15.38 miles

6. Based also from Figure A of number 5, what is the measure of angle S? (approximate your
answer in the nearest hundredths place) (3 pts)
A. 27.580
B. 35.420
C. 27.850
D. 35.410

7. Based from the figure A of number 5, what is the angle measure of the triangle opposite the side
8 miles?
(2 pts)
A. 27.600
B. 35.400
C. 72.060
D. 53.040

8. If you are looking for a missing side of a triangle, what do you need to know when using the Law
of Cosines? (1 pt)
A. one must know the length of two sides and measure of non – included angle of the triangle.
B. one must know the length of one side and measure of the included angle of the triangle.
C. the length of the 2 sides and the included angle of a triangle are given.
D. the length of the 2 sides and the non – included angle of a triangle are given.

For numbers 9 – 10. Refer to the problem below. 7 miles B

A cruise ship departs a certain port (P) and sails N 1250 E with a
distance of 5 miles. It made a 55 – degree angle due north and directly 500
proceeds. If its shortest distance from the port at a certain instant is 7
miles and makes an angle of 500, find x miles
1250
9. measure of angle BPA. (1 pt) Port (P)
A. 750 5 miles
B. 1250 550
C. 550
D. 570 A

10. the distance it travels due north. (round off to nearest hundredths). (3 pts)
A. 8.60 miles
B. 8.25 miles
C. 5.28 miles
D. 7.86 miles

11. Figure below shows the triangle with corresponding measure of its side. Which of the following
are the measures of the angles of triangle? (approximate your answer in nearest hundredths place)
(5 pts)
B
15
A
12
7
C

A. m∠A = 27.270, m∠B = 51.750, m∠C = 100.980

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B. m∠A = 27.270, m∠B = 100.980, m∠C =51.750

C. m∠A = 100.980, m∠B = 51.750, m∠C = 27.270
D. m∠A =51.750, m∠B = 27.270, m∠C = 100.980

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